Civilian Aides to The Secretary of The Army Sworn In

ADM KUPRESIN OATH:

Retired Rear Adm. Sam Kupresin, a native of Rock Island, Ill., is sworn in by First Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Mick Bednarek, as a civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army during an investiture ceremony on Rock Island Arsenal Friday.

Civilian aides serve as liaisons between the Secretary of the Army and local civic groups and military communities. They help inform community leaders and officials on how to assist surviving family members of Soldiers killed in combat and severely wounded Soldiers that are returning home. They also play a key role in recruitment, making recommendations of Soldiers to Officer Candidate School and of high school students to military academies.

Retired Rear Adm. Sam Kupresin takes his oath.

Kupresin was a career Naval aviator who served in many senior level command positions and attended numerous leadership and advanced management schools. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy and also attended Air Command and Staff College and the Naval War College. He serves as vice president of business development for Mandus Group Ltd. Ayers served as a member of the advisory board for the Illinois National Guard’s Lincoln’s Challenge Academy. He also served on the advisory committee to the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

In 2010, he received the National Guard Association of Illinois’ Distinguished Service Award, and was also honored, as one of 10 recipients the National Guard Association of the United States’ Patrick Henry Award.

Former University of Illinois professor Michael Ayers, a native of Springfield, Ill., unfurls his flag during an investiture ceremony Friday on Rock Island Arsenal.

In 2011, he was recognized for community service as a Rotary International Paul Harris fellow by the Rotary Club of Springfield, Ill.The mission of First Army is to advise, assist and train Reserve Component forces during pre- through post-mobilization periods and to conduct Soldier support during the post-deployment demobilization period in accordance with Department of the Army and U.S. Army Forces Command directives.

AYERS FLAG UNFURLING:

Former University of Illinois professor Michael Ayers, a native of Springfield, Ill., unfurls his flag during an investiture ceremony Friday on Rock Island Arsenal.

During the ceremony, Ayers was sworn in as a civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army by the First Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Mick Bednarek. Civilian aides serve as liaisons between the Secretary of the Army and local civic groups and military communities. They help inform community leaders and officials on how to assist surviving family members of Soldiers killed in combat and severely wounded Soldiers that are returning home. They also play a key role in recruitment, making recommendations of Soldiers to Officer Candidate School and of high school students to military academies.

For six years, Ayers served as a member of the advisory board for the Illinois National Guard’s Lincoln’s Challenge Academy. He also served on the advisory committee to the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

Retired Rear Adm. Sam Kupresin is sword in by First Army Commander Lt. Gen. Mick Benarek.

CASAS WITH FLAGS:

From left, Retired Rear Adm. Sam Kupresin, First Army Commander Lt. Gen. Mick Benarek, and former University of Illinois professor Michael Ayers stand as the audience applauds during an investiture ceremony on Rock Island Arsenal Friday. Bednarek swore in Kupresin and Ayers as civilian aides to the Secretary of the Army.

Retired Rear Adm. Sam Kupresin, First Army Commander Lt. Gen. Mick Benarek, and former University of Illinois professor Michael Ayers stand as the audience applauds during an investiture ceremony on Rock Island Arsenal.

OATH:

First Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Mick Bednarek (center), swears in retired Rear Adm. Sam Kupresin (left) and former University of Illinois professor Michael Ayers during an investiture ceremony on Rock Island Arsenal Friday. Bednarek swore in Kupresin and Ayers as civilian aides to the Secretary of the Army.